The twelve-step program is a set of various guiding principles that list out a practical and hands-on method for an addict to recover from addiction, behavioral problems, or compulsion issues. The program originally started as Alcoholics Anonymous and has since branched out further to address many different forms of addiction and compulsive behaviors. Throughout Canada and within its many cities and communities’ addicts, former addicts, and recovering addicts can locate meetings of 12-step programs to help them through any type of difficult situation. Whether a person is in the midst of addiction or has just recently completed a treatment program, there are meetings and support on hand throughout the country.

What type of success will I have with the 12-step methodology?

The Alcoholics Anonymous program is the most popular and largest program within the twelve-step system, and the many other meeting types have branched out from there. Success can be determined by numerous things such as the willingness of the person to change and move on from their addiction, how well they apply the steps, how closely they work with his or her sponsor, and if they succeeded in completing a drug and alcohol rehabilitation program. The twelve-step program like any other program or methodology of treatment can be very successful, but there are circumstances where an addict will struggle with the approach, and it may not be working for them.

I’ve already been through a twelve-step program, and it didn’t work, now what?

This is a very common situation for many people to be in, especially addicts who have been using drugs for an extended time, and have been through many other programs over the past. If an addict has attended many meetings for an extended time, or has done inpatient or outpatient 12-step programs and has still not seen success, they will want to search for non-traditional approaches to treatment. Non-traditional drug rehabilitation does not involve twelve-step methods, but rather other therapy approaches that will treat all forms of addiction and obsessive behaviors.

Twelve-Step Programs Provide a Wide Range of Support

One of the beneficial aspects of twelve-step treatment is the wide diversity of support offered to people struggling with addiction, compulsive behaviors, substance abuse issues, and other disorders. Support is offered to men, women, families, and in numerous different languages, with meeting locations available throughout the entire country. Regardless if a person struggles with an addiction, there are support groups to assist family members, and anyone directly impacted by an individual’s behavior or addiction. This only demonstrates further that the twelve-step programs offer extensive support and help for people from all backgrounds and age groups.